A stevedore employed at the John Fernandes Limited Water Street wharf died early yesterday morning at the Georgetown hospital following a freak accident on Thursday.

Twenty-four-year-old Andel Newyear of ‘B’ Field Sophia and Stanleytown, Berbice died around 4 am while being treated for a gaping wound to the throat. Reports are that around 9.30 pm on Thursday, Newyear was loading timber into a container when a wire rope used to bind the wood snapped and slashed his neck.

Managing Director at John Fernandes Christopher Fernandes told Stabroek News that Newyear was immediately rushed to the hospital and that the man was conscious when he left the premises.

Fernandes said doctors told him that Newyear was scheduled to undergo an MRI early yesterday morning after which he was slated to have an operation. However, he said, the man succumbed to his injuries. This newspaper understands that Newyear had been permanently employed with the company in August and that prior to this he worked “on and off.” Meanwhile, the company’s CEO said since the incident the company had contacted the man’s family and offered to provide assistance.